AmyHuang
Visit Australia: Lake Macquarie
Welcome to a new year, and I'd like to start this year with a little more Visit Australia series of posts.
First up is Lake Macquarie, up on the Central Coast of NSW. We had just spent our new years eve there and it was simply nice. There were no big parties like there would have been in Sydney but the local RSLs put on a nice small family fireworks display for the area while everyone just chilled out by the water, had a picnic under the beautiful sky and welcomed the new year.
The Lake Macquarie area is only around one and a half hours drive from Sydney, and around one hour from Newcastle. It is a great spot to spend a few days to chill out, and when you feel like to get away from the water a little, just drive 45 mins into the west and you hit Hunter Valley. Great location isn't it?
As the largest salt water lake in Australia, there are plenty of water activities to do. Great waves break at Blacksmiths beach for those into surfing, or there are plenty of catches in the lake if you fish. Hiring out a house boat is a great option if time is not a problem for you.
We stayed in a town called Wangi Wangi. Small, but pleasant. The room in Hotel Wangi only cost us $50 a night. Nothing fancy but was comfortable with a lake view. Great meals in their restaurant too! Wangi Wangi is mostly known for the home of Sir William Dobell, whoes artworks eventually famed himself into knighthood. If you have an interest in art, or know of Dobell's artworks, you might want to pay a visit to the Dobell House in Wangi Wangi the next time you are in town.
Driving around the lake is a pleasure in itself. The scenery is fantastic and you get to stop by all the small towns in-between. There is a big information centre at Swansea, one of the larger towns on the east side of Lake Macquarie and the really really friendly staff can even suggest any good restaurants around the area. Free internet access too. The town of Belmont, just north of Swansea is another tourist favourite. We had lunch at Belmont 16 Footers club, right on the shores of the lake. Blessed with a beautiful day we watched sails and sparkles of sunshine on the water while devouring a mouth watering burger.
Sadly we didn't get our wish to hire a kayak on the lake as during the eve and new year's day, most places were closed. However I'll definitely be putting that on my to do list next time I am around Lake Macquarie, perhaps even rent a house boat too!
First up is Lake Macquarie, up on the Central Coast of NSW. We had just spent our new years eve there and it was simply nice. There were no big parties like there would have been in Sydney but the local RSLs put on a nice small family fireworks display for the area while everyone just chilled out by the water, had a picnic under the beautiful sky and welcomed the new year.
The lake shores at Wangi Wangi
The Lake Macquarie area is only around one and a half hours drive from Sydney, and around one hour from Newcastle. It is a great spot to spend a few days to chill out, and when you feel like to get away from the water a little, just drive 45 mins into the west and you hit Hunter Valley. Great location isn't it?
Walking tracks along the lake at Green Point Foreshore Reserve
The sunset over the lake
As the largest salt water lake in Australia, there are plenty of water activities to do. Great waves break at Blacksmiths beach for those into surfing, or there are plenty of catches in the lake if you fish. Hiring out a house boat is a great option if time is not a problem for you.
We stayed in a town called Wangi Wangi. Small, but pleasant. The room in Hotel Wangi only cost us $50 a night. Nothing fancy but was comfortable with a lake view. Great meals in their restaurant too! Wangi Wangi is mostly known for the home of Sir William Dobell, whoes artworks eventually famed himself into knighthood. If you have an interest in art, or know of Dobell's artworks, you might want to pay a visit to the Dobell House in Wangi Wangi the next time you are in town.
Sir William Dobell's memorial at Wangi Wangi
Driving around the lake is a pleasure in itself. The scenery is fantastic and you get to stop by all the small towns in-between. There is a big information centre at Swansea, one of the larger towns on the east side of Lake Macquarie and the really really friendly staff can even suggest any good restaurants around the area. Free internet access too. The town of Belmont, just north of Swansea is another tourist favourite. We had lunch at Belmont 16 Footers club, right on the shores of the lake. Blessed with a beautiful day we watched sails and sparkles of sunshine on the water while devouring a mouth watering burger.
The pelicans have their share of Lake Macquarie
Sadly we didn't get our wish to hire a kayak on the lake as during the eve and new year's day, most places were closed. However I'll definitely be putting that on my to do list next time I am around Lake Macquarie, perhaps even rent a house boat too!
What's Your Story?
Big Day Plunge
I celebrated New Year's with my husband at home, just the two of us.
Next year you'll be doing the same thing -- the celebrating with the husband part that is.
Congratulations Amy!!
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Travel Debate
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Thank you Toni!
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
..this took me way back. My father and step-mother lived at Wangi Wangi for seven years and I have walked these tracks so often
I'm not sure if they still have her, but there used to be a boat called the Wangi Princess that was a floating restaurant and party boat which cruised the lake at night time, all lit up like a fairy princess... quite magical.
Wonderful place to visit (or re-visit)...thanks.
Lilla ...
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Travel Debate
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Love Adventures
I am glad this is bringing you back to good memories